Military pay - 1857 (extract).
In 1857 pay, rations and other compensation for
Infantry officers and enlisted was:
| rank | $ per month | rations | servants |
| Lieutenant General | $ 270.00 | 40 | 4 |
| Major General | $ 220.00 | 15 | 4 |
| Brig. General | $ 124.00 | 12 | 3 |
| Colonel | $ 95.00 | 6 | 2 |
| Lieut. Colonel | $ 80.00 | 5 | 2 |
| Major | $ 70.00 | 4 | 2 |
| Captain | $ 60.00 | 4 | 1 |
| 1st Lieutenant | $ 50.00 | 4 | 1 |
| 2nd Lieutenant | $ 45.00 | 4 | 1 |
| Sergeant Major | $ 21.00 | 1 | |
| Q. M. Sergeant | $ 21.00 | 1 | |
| 1st Sergeant | $ 20.00 | 1 | |
| Sergeant | $ 17.00 | 1 | |
| Corporal | $ 13.00 | 1 | |
| Private | $ 11.00 | 1 |
Additional Notes:
Infantry Colonels received forage for
4 horses in time of war; 3 in time of
peace
Infantry Lt Colonels and Majors each
received forage for 3 horses in time of
war and in time of peace
Soldiers serving in a position of aid-de-camp
received the pay of Lieutenant plus $24.00
if an aid to a Major General; $20.00 if an aid
to a Brigadier General.
Principal Musicians received the same pay
and rations as Sergeant Majors and
Quarter Master Sergeants
Musicians received the same pay and
rations as Privates
Officer subsistence was 30 cents per ration
(per day); forage at $8.00 per month, per horse.
Officers were entitled to receive, for each
servant, the pay of 1 private plus a $2.50
clothing allowance plus 1 ration (30 cents per
day) or about $28.00 per month.
Enlisted men were entitled to an extra $2.00
per month after their first re-enlistment and
an additional $1.00 per month for each
subsequent 5 years of service.
A complete 1857 pay table can be viewed at: